Study: Obese teens have difficulty managing glucose levelsHalf of overweight and obese teens with newly diagnosed diabetes who received metformin-only treatment failed to regulate their glucose levels after nearly four years, while those who either had metformin/Avandia therapy or metformin plus lifestyle modification did not fare much better in glucose control. Researchers also found that one in five patients who had glucose-control treatments developed severe complications, suggesting that heavy teens may face difficulties in regulating their glucose levels. The findings appear in the New England Journal of Medicine. Google/The Associated Press
(4/29)

Group diabetes education may not offer long-term benefitsType 2 diabetes patients who participated in group education programs did not attain better blood glucose and cholesterol levels, body weight, and quality of life after three years compared with those who did not. The findings suggest that diabetes education programs may not offer long-term benefits in patients, researchers reported in the British Medical Journal. Medical News Today
(4/27)

Targeting gene pathway may aid in diabetes treatmentA study in the journal Cell found mice lacking the MED13 gene pathway in the heart were more susceptible to diet-induced obesity and showed abnormal blood glucose metabolism, while mice with higher levels of MED13 were lean and showed an increase in energy expenditure. Researchers said the finding that the heart can regulate systemic metabolism opens up new possibilities for obesity, diabetes and heart disease treatment. Yahoo!/Asian News International
(4/27)

Nutrition & Wellness

Fast-food commercials may factor in childhood obesity riskData on more than 3,300 participants aged 15 to 23 revealed that those who were better at recognizing fast-food advertisements shown with the brand names removed were more than twice as likely to be obese compared with those who knew only a few. The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies. HealthDay News
(4/29)

Low-income, depressed moms tend to overfeed their babiesA study presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting showed poor, depressed single mothers were 15 times more likely than those who were not depressed to overfeed their babies by adding cereals to bottles, which can contribute to childhood obesity. "It is important to provide support for parents related to healthy feeding practices if we are to end the epidemic of childhood obesity," lead author Dr. Candice Taylor Lucas said. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News
(4/28)

Dietitians say fitness pros have limited nutrition expertiseA report by three dietitians in the ACSM Health and Fitness Journal discusses the problems that can occur when fitness trainers or professionals give nutrition advice beyond their expertise or scope of practice. The RDs write that some fitness professionals have good information but do not have the specialized training and knowledge that dietitians have to help people create a comprehensive nutrition plan. The Gazette (Montreal) (tiered subscription model)
(4/26)

Practice Update

Survey looks at physician salaries, payment viewsA Medscape/WebMD survey revealed the annual physician earnings across 25 specialties range from $156,000 to $315,000, with physicians in the North Central, South Central and Great Lakes regions the highest-paid nationally. Researchers also found that about 51% of all physicians say that they receive fair compensation. Time.com/Healthland blog
(4/27)

CMS proposes payment rules for readmissions, quality programsA CMS proposed rule would pay acute care hospitals 2.3% more for treating Medicare patients if inpatient quality reporting programs are in place. The agency also proposed a calculation for penalties assessed to hospitals with high 30-day readmission rates. And CMS said it wants to add surgical site infections from cardiac implantable electronic device and iatrogenic pneumothorax with venous catheterization as conditions subject to hospital-acquired condition payment provisions for 2013. HealthLeaders Media
(4/25)

Trends & Technology

IPhone app will give VA docs access to EHRsThe Department of Veterans Affairs is testing an iPhone application for EHRs developed by clinicians at its medical center in Washington, D.C., and is giving out up to 1,000 mobile devices for use with it. The app, which the VA plans to introduce this summer, allows doctors to access and review the records of the patients they will see that day through their handheld devices. CIO Roger Baker said the new app shows the VA is using new technologies in how it operates. Government Health IT online
(4/26)

ADA News

April episode of Diabetes Core UpdateIn the April podcast of Diabetes Core Update, Neil and John talk about strategies to limit the effect of hypoglycemia on diabetes control, the positive effects of vegetarian/vegan eating plans, aspirin use, and diabetes and depression. Subscribe to and download the podcast from iTunes.